1952 Gibson Les Paul Sunburst

If you're in the market for a burst conversion, you need to read the fine print and you need to buy it from someone who is knowledgeable when it comes to vintage parts. Because these are largely built from scavenged parts, you never quite know what you're going to find but I can guarantee that more than a few of them have at least some parts that are misrepresented. Start with the wood. Is it a Special or a Junior with a new top? That usually gets you a nicer looking top but it's farther from authentic than an all old wood conversion. I would start with one that was converted from a 50's gold top. This is (or was) a 52 gold top converted by Cris Mirabella. The neck was reset for the correct angle. The finish was done by Mirabella. Frets and nut were done by Dave Johnson. It has some real parts and it has some vintage but not correct parts and it has some repro parts. Pickups are real PAFs-neck is a zebra, bridge is a black. Stickers black light correctly. Covers are correct. Knobs are the real thing as is the no wire bridge and the no line Kluson tuners. The harness is a vintage correct 58 with vintage bumblebees. The three way switch is not original to this harness but is vintage. Truss cover is 50's with the correct roll marks. Switch tip is correct catalin. The studs are correct but the tailpiece is later 60's-not short seam. Then there's the repro stuff. Pickup rings are "Over the Pond", poker chip is repro of unknown source, guard was made by Mirabella. Frets and nut are replaced. Back plates are repro. Jack plate is supposed to original but I have my doubts. The guitar a wonderful player. Big fat neck, not too heavy (8 lbs 10 ounces) and great sounding pickups (8.7K bridge and 7.9K neck). With bursts pushing into the $500K range, a conversion is a no brainer for many. Especially if old wood means anything to you as it does to me.